Strut clamp

ABSTRACT

A method for applying a clamp for a construction strut that allows a pipe to be clamped to the construction strut in which the clamp has a fastener that is not exposed above the clamp curvature and in which the fastener head is easily accessible. Also the clamp has a retaining tab and a neck portion such that it can be installed by straight-in insertion at the top of a construction strut. Also, the method has an embodiment in that the clamp can be installed either on the open side of the construction strut or on the closed side using slots in the closed side by straight-in passing the retaining tab past the inturned flanges on the top of the construction strut and by a rotation at the bottom of the construction strut.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 13/692,953filed on Dec. 3, 2012 which is a divisional application of applicationSer. No. 12/256,407 filed on Oct. 22, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to clamps that are used for clamping pipes andconduits to construction struts.

BACKGROUND

Construction struts (they are also called channels and framing channels)are well known and ubiquitous in construction, especially in commercialbuildings. One of their purposes is to enable pipes and conduits to beinstalled by being clamped to the construction struts.

A good reference for construction struts as well as accessories for usewith them can be found in the catalogue of ERICO InternationalCorporation of Solon, Ohio, and their website ERICO.com. One of the mostcommonly used accessories with construction struts are clamps forclamping pipes and conduits to the construction strut. Several of thesecan be found in the ERICO catalogue including a design that is alsodescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,440 the content of which isincorporated by reference herein.

Another good reference to these products is Thomas&Betts Corporation ofMemphis Tenn.

FIG. 1 shows in cross-section a typical construction strut (taken fromthe catalogue of Thomas & Betts). These are made by the variousmanufacturers to dimensions which are either the same or sufficientlysubstantially the same that accessories will fit on those made by thevarious manufacturers as shown on FIG. 1 but varying in height.Therefore a standard configuration of the top and inturned flanges andwidth is adopted by the industry which enables the use of variousaccessories regardless of the manufacturer of the construction strut.There are other standardized features one of which is providing slots onthe bottom of the construction strut. Using the slots, some accessoriescan be attached to both the top and the bottom of the constructionstrut. A typical accessory is the clamp which is the subject of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows three common types of pipe clamps of the prior artdesignated E1, E2 and E3. Pipe clamp E1 features separate sides 20 a and20 b which are held in the construction strut 10. A perspective drawingof type E1 is shown in the ERICO catalogue at page 78. Type E1 isinstalled by fitting the separate sides 20 a and 20 b into theconstruction channel with the pipe between them, and then fastening themtogether with the threaded fastener and nut 22. Type E1 has thedisadvantages of having four parts (including the nut), mostinconveniently, the clamping sides 20 a and 20 b being separate. It isdifficult to install when there are several pipes to be installed closeto each other because a screwdriver cannot be used and they have to bemanipulated to be held in position as the screw is inserted to keep themassembled. Notably, often installation of pipes and conduits has to bedone in very tight and crowded spaces.

Type E2 in FIG. 2 is made to improve type E1 by allowing easier accessto the fastener head but it too has disadvantages; when the fastener istightened it tends to move to a more vertical position exposing the headand putting uneven pressure on the pipe.

Type E3 is shown in the Erico catalogue on page 80 and it is shown inU.S. Pat. No. 4,429,440. It has the disadvantage that it does not wraparound the pipe so the pipe is not firmly gripped and is subject totwisting. Also, if the fastener is tightened too much the pipe can becrushed; therefore, this type cannot be used on heavy duty workrequirements.

All three of these illustrated fasteners has the additional disadvantagethat there is a portion exposed allowing injuries to workers who passunder them as shown in FIG. 2 and also injury to hands and arms whentrying to work in a crowded space. One of the problems in this work isthat it is often done in tight and crowded spaces and with a lot ofadjacent pipes and conduits.

There is a need for a clamp that is easy to install, does not expose afastener head, allows ready access for tightening and has a clampingsurface to keep it firmly in place.

Also there is often a need to clamp a pipe or conduit to the oppositebottom side of the construction strut, where there are slots; aversatile clamp that will work on both sides of the construction strutis very desirable Also, there is a need not only for such a versatileclamp, but one that in accomplishing that versatility also is easy toinstall.

In construction it is often the case that construction struts will bestacked. This is shown in FIG. 2b . In the figure stacked constructionstruts are shown. For illustrative purposes, in between struts 10 and 10a there are clamps of the type E1, E2 (as in FIG. 2a ) and betweenstruts 10 and 10 b there are clamps of the type E3 (as in FIG. 2a ). Theproblem with both of these clamp types lies in the dimension N, betweenthe struts. The present invention recognizes the desirability ofreducing that distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a section of a typical construction strut.

FIG. 2a shows some prior art clamps.

FIG. 2b shows stacked construction struts with prior art clamps

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c are views of an exemplary strip member of the clampof the invention.

FIG. 3d shows an alternative structure for the clamp neck.

FIGS. 4a and 4b are a top and side view respectively of an exemplary nutof the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of an exemplary clamp of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary clamp of the inventioninstalled on a construction strut shown partially cut-away.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary clamp of the invention installedon a construction strut.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an exemplary clamp inserted and hooked under aninturned flange on the open side of a construction strut.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the installation and clamping of a pipe usingan exemplary clamp on the open side of a construction strut.

FIG. 10 shows the beginning of installation of the clamp to the bottomside of a construction strut.

FIG. 11 shows the clamp installed on the bottom side of a constructionstrut.

FIG. 12 is a view looking into the construction strut for theinstallation as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is another view looking into the construction strut for theinstallation as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the invention as used to mount a pipe belowand above a construction strut as well as mounting an additional pipe onthe clamp of the first pipe and also showing a stacked constructionstrut.

FIG. 15 is a view showing the head of the fastener below the maximumcurvature of the strut clamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a strut clamp that is an improvement over priordesigns in several aspects. One improvement is that the fastener head iseasily available for tightening, in particular, with a screw driver, andalso is not exposed above the top of the pipe and does not extendhorizontally. Another improvement is that the same clamp can be used onthe top (open) side of a construction strut, or on the bottom (closed)slotted side (that is, it has a series of short spaced-apart slots).Another improvement is that the clamp can be inserted straight-inbetween the inturned flanges of a construction strut; that is without anangled or twist maneuver. Another improvement for some embodiments isthat it is easy to install because the parts can be all assembled into asingle unit away from the strut and then be installed together. Anotherimprovement is that there is always a good range of wrap-around to keepthe pipe from moving. Another improvement is that stacked constructionstruts can be closer together than with other clamps. All of theseimprovements and others will be seen and further explained in thefollowing description.

The invention is used in combination with a construction strut to clamppipes (for convenience the term “pipe(s)” will be used to include allcircular members, including pipes and conduits) that are to be clampedto a construction strut. Construction strut configurations are known andare available from many sources but with the same configurations andsubstantially the same dimensions, for installing a clamp. It is incombination with construction struts that the present invention isadvantageous.

Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a typical construction strutexemplary of use with the clamp of the present invention in which theconstruction strut 10 in the form of a channel is defined by a bottomwall 12, side walls 14 and 16 and a top 18 having inturned flanges 20extending from the side walls 14 and 16 respectively defining a space 22between them, also called a slot or channel, extending the length of theconstruction strut, and an inside distance D between the side walls 14and 16. The bottom wall 12 can have a series of spaced apart slots 24(see FIGS. 10-13) which are available in a variety of lengths andspacing. Construction struts are sold by a number of manufacturers, andare of generally standardized dimensions in which the height of the sidewalls 14 and 16 may vary, but the dimensions defining the width of thestrut, the top inturned flanges 20, the slot 22 and the inside distanceD are sufficiently substantially similar that accessories such as thepresent clamp will fit on the construction struts made by a number ofmanufacturers. As shown in FIG. 1 the width of the space 22 is nominally⅞ inch and the total width of the strut is nominally 1⅝ inch. The insidewidth D depends on the thickness (12 and 14 gauge are common) of thestrut material and is not typically given in manufacturers' catalogues,however for purposes of the present description a dimension of about 1½inch is taken as applicable. As for the slots in the bottom wall 12, aseries of slots on 2 inch centers and having dimensions of 1⅛ inch longand 9/16 inch wide is common. While the present invention can bedimensioned for various dimensions of the slots, a width of 9/16 andlength of 1⅛ inch is a selected preferred slot width and length forwhich the present invention can be configured and it is a very commonslotting.

Referring to FIGS. 3a-d, 4a-b and 5, in one embodiment the clamp 30 ofthe present invention comprises three parts which are, a clamp strip 32,a nut 34 and a bolt or machine screw 36. These are used in conjunctionwith an industry standard construction strut 10 holding in place a pipeP. Pipes come in different sizes, such as from ½ inch to 5 inch. Theyalso come in different types such as EMT and RIGID. In general, a clampis configured for each pipe size. That is, the length of the strip 32and its curvature are specific for a pipe size. Pipe sizes are specifiedfor their inside diameter (ID) and the outside diameter will depend onthe thickness of the pipe. Therefore the strip curvature will bespecific for that outside diameter. There are some cases in which aclamp can fit more than one pipe because different pipe types allowthis. For example in some prior art clamps a single clamp can be usedfor a ¾ inch EMT and a ½ inch RIGID pipe. Nevertheless, commonly, withinthe size range for a given pipe type, there is a clamp configured to fiteach pipe size. In particular the length of the strip and its curvatureare made to fit. However in the present invention the retaining tab andthe neck portions (as described below) are configured for the dimensionsof the industry standard construction strut and therefore will be thesame for all sized clamps. In this description the term “engage” refersto the curvature of the strip fitting to the curvature of the pipe. Theterm “pipe” is intended to mean any of the circular items that thepresent strut clamp is used for, including pipes, conduits and othercircular items.

The clamp strip 32 has an intermediate portion 38 that has a curvedportion or curvature for extending around the pipe to be clamped. Thestrip 32 terminates at a first end 40 which will also be referred to asthe gripping end; and, extending into a flat shelf portion 42, itterminates at a second end 44 which will also be referred to as thefastening end; the flat shelf portion 42 having a hole 43. The clampstrip 32 has a first longitudinal side 46 and a second longitudinal side48 which define a width of the strip. As will be explained, an exemplarywidth is 1 inch. At the first end 40 is a retaining tab 50 that isattached to the intermediate portion 38 by a narrow neck 52. The neck 52can be formed in a number of ways. As will be seen the dimensionalrelationship of the neck 52 and the retaining tab 50 to each other andto the dimensions of the construction strut are important to theadvantageous functioning of the new clamp.

Below the neck 52, the retaining tab 50 has a width W. It extends fromeach side of the neck 52 to a first side 53 and a second side 55. Atleast one of the sides 53 and 55 has a hook 60.

In a preferred embodiment, as described below the first side 53 has anupward facing edge 58 and the second side 55 has an upward facing hook60 having a top 61 and a recess 59 between the top 61 and the neck 52such that the upward facing edge 58 and the top 61 of the hook 60 arealigned.

In a preferred embodiment the width W is less than the nominal ⅞ inchdimension of the opening 22 in the common construction strut 10 (seeFIG. 1); sufficiently less that the retaining tab 50 can be insertedstraight down (called straight-in insertion) between the inturnedflanges 20 without the need for a twist or angled insertion maneuver.Typically but not necessarily, the width of the retaining tab 50 will benarrower than the width of the intermediate portion 38 such as when thewidth of the intermediate portion is 1 inch as mentioned above. Thewidth W of the retaining tab is less than the width of the opening 22,preferably in the range of about 13/16 to ⅝ inch. If straight-ininsertion is not desired, the width W can exceed the width of theopening 22 so long as it will fit inside the construction strut.

In general the neck portion width will be less than the width of theintermediate portion 48; preferably by a reduction in width on eachside. One way for forming the neck 52 is by notches in the strip abovethe retaining tab 50. This is shown in FIG. 3c . In the firstlongitudinal side 46, near the first end 40 there is a first notch 54and in the second longitudinal side 48, near the first end 40 there is asecond notch 56. The bottom of the first notch 54 is defined by anupward facing edge 58 which is not hooked while the bottom of the secondnotch 56 is defined by an upward facing hook 60. The notches can bereversed since there is no required left-right orientation. As noted inFIG. 3c in this embodiment, the upward facing edge 58 is preferablyaligned with the top 61 of the hook 60 the purpose for which will beexplained below.

Referring to FIG. 3d there is shown an alternative structure for formingthe neck 52. In this form the neck 52 is formed by tapers 66 and 68along the first side 46 and the second side 48, respectively.

In the embodiment shown, the width W of the retaining tab 50 is madeless than the space 22 between the inturned flanges 20 by being shorterat its first side 53 relative to the first side 46 as shown by space Xwhile the second side 55 where the hook 60 is, is aligned with thesecond side 48. This alignment allows extra distance for the hook 60, onthe second side 55 of the retaining tab 50. However this alignment whilepreferred is not essential. For example, each of the side 53 and theside 55 can be not aligned with their respective sides 46 and 48 of theintermediate portion 38. For example, the neck portion 52 and theretaining tab 50 could be located independently with respect to thewidth of the intermediate portion 38, extending for example from thecenter a selected distance to each side. Also, if the neck 52 is reducedin width added distance is available for the lateral extension of therespective sides of the retaining tab 50. This will allow more spacefrom the neck 52 to the hook 60 which can be needed to account forvariations in the dimensions of the inturned flanges 20. The essentialshape and dimensions of the retaining tab 50 and the width of the neck52 is such that the hook 60 extends sufficiently laterally away from theneck 52 that it can fit under the inturned flange (see FIGS. 6 and 8)and the edge 58 extends sufficiently laterally away from the neck 52that it will extend beyond the edge of the slot 24 as shown in FIGS. 11and 12; the total width of the retaining tab 50 for the embodiment forstraight-in insertion, always being less than the opening 22 in theconstruction strut and the width of the neck 52 being less than thewidth of the space 22 and of the width of the slot 24 which therebyallows the hook 60 of the second side 55 to be captured under theinturned flanges 20 and both the first side 53 and the second side 55 tobe captured and under the bottom 12 on each side of the slot 24.

Similar to FIG. 3c as explained above, in FIG. 3d the hook 60 is definedby having its top 61 and a recess 59 such that the top 61 is alignedwith the edge 58.

The clamp strip 32 is preferably formed with a ridge 64 over most of itslength in order to add stability against twisting or other unwantedbending.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show the nut 34 which is preferably formed from a plate,having a top 80 with a threaded hole 82 located centrally and sides 84 aand 84 b at the ends of which extend hook pairs 86 a-86 b and 88 a-88 b.The hook pairs are bent toward (convergently) each other, which makesinstallation easier. The convergent bending is preferably symmetrical,which allows the most convenient use. Each hook has an upward facingcurved surface 90 which, as will be seen, fits under the inturnedflanges 20 on a construction strut 10. Any configuration at the ends ofthe nut that provides spaced apart curved members to fit under theinturned flanges will broadly be within this concept. While this new nutis advantageous for the purpose of enhancing ease of installation of theclamp, nuts already known can also be used in the combination with theclamp strip 32 and the bolt or screw 36. The nut 34 is preferablysmaller in width than the width of the slot 24, preferably smaller thanthe 9/16 inch width of the common slot described above and shorter thanthe 1⅛ inch length of the slot, the symmetrically convergent hook pairsallowing easy passage through the slot 24. In this way, with the nut 34threaded on the screw 36, the entire clamp can be assembled andinstalled in a single operation in which the nut is passed through theslot 24 or between the inturned flanges 20 and then rotated into thecross-wise position.

In use the new clamp allows for clamping a pipe to a construction struton its top, or on its bottom. Construction struts are well known, andfor purposes of the present explanation of use of the new clamp, thedescription above will be used. FIGS. 6-9 show how the new clamp 30 isused to fix a pipe P to the top of a construction strut 10.

Although in the figures the clamp 30 and pipe P are shown on top of theconstruction strut 10, as is well known, the assembly may also be ininverted position, that is, with the construction strut inverted withthe pipe suspended below it.

The clamp may be applied to a pipe already in place or the clamp can beput in place loosely, and the pipe inserted under it; then the clamp istightened. With the clamp in place the hook 60 is captured under theadjacent inturned flange 20 on the strut 10. The width of the retainingtab 50 is small enough that it readily fits in the space 22 between theinturned flanges 20 without the need for angled or twist insertion, thatis, by straight-in insertion without the need for putting it in at anangel as would be the case if the width was greater than the space 22.The space 22 is conventionally nominally ⅞ inch. A width of theretaining tab 50 from about 1/16 inch smaller than the opening 22 workswell. A range from 13/16 to ⅝ inch is preferred. If straight-ininsertion is not desired, the width of the retaining tab 50 can exceedthe width 22 so long as it fits readily inside the construction strut.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the general orientation of the clamp32, the nut 34 and the bolt or machine screw 36 as applied to strut 10in FIGS. 6 and 11.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, the clamp 30 is shown installed on a strut 10.The hook 60 is captured under the inturned flange 20 while the oppositeside 53 of the retaining tab is not captured by the adjacent inturnedflange 20 (FIG. 8) and does not extend to interfere with the oppositeinturned flange. A good way to achieve this is to make the second side55 extend beyond the neck 52 more than does the first side 53. Thatallows for variation in the capture of the hook 60 under the inturnedflange 20 on one side while avoiding the first side 53 hitting the otherinturned flange 20 as can be appreciated by FIG. 8. Of course, in thecase where the total width W of the retaining tab 50 is less than thewidth 22 between the inturned flanges 20, this is automaticallyaccommodated since the first side 53 cannot interfere with the proximateinturned flange when the hook 60 is under the other inturned flange.

The nut 34 is captured under the inturned flanges 20 by contact of thecurved surfaces 90. The bolt 36 is tightened to the nut 34 holding thepipe P firmly in place. The head of the bolt 36 is presented uprightfrom the strut and below the pipe P; it can be easily tightened by ascrewdriver or a wrench (for hex head bolts), but it does not present arisk of injury, or the need to avoid injury because it is below thecurvature 38 of the clamp 30 (see also FIGS. 14 and 15). Also, adjacentclamps do not interfere with each other. Further, as seen in FIG. 14,stacked struts can be more closely stacked. The bolt can have a hex headand a screwdriver slot, or any other type of head that is available, butpreferably for tightening with a blade screwdriver or a Philipsscrewdriver.

The clamp can also be used to clamp a pipe on the bottom 12 of the strut10 when it is provided with slots 24, which is a common featureavailable on construction struts. This is shown in FIGS. 10-13. Firstthe clamp strip 30 is inserted sideways into the slot 24 (FIG. 10)sufficiently that the retaining tab 50 is inside the strut 10 and theneck 52 is aligned with the slot 24. Then it is turned into thecross-wise or straddle position so that the retaining tab 50 will becaptured under the bottom 12 with the hook 60 and the flat edge 58extending on each side of the slot 24 in contact with the interiorsurface of the bottom wall 12. The flat portion 42 of the second end 44of the strip 32 is now above another slot 24 b along the length of thestrut 10. As described above, although not shown in FIG. 10, the screw36 and the nut 34 can be assembled to the strip 32 and the nut guidedinto the adjacent slot 24 b and rotated into the cross-wise position asshown in FIGS. 11 and 13. It can be appreciated that by having one sideof the strip 32 having a hook 56, there is a positive connection to theinturned flange 20 when installed in the top of the strut and by havinga flat edge 54 on the opposite side, there is a clamping on both sidesof the slot 24 in that configuration, the flat edge 54 providing addedstrength for the clamping action.

FIG. 14 shows the versatility provided by the invention. One clamp 30 ispositioned on the top of a strut 10 clamping a first pipe P1 and using abracket clamp 94 a second pipe P2 is clamped above it. Under the strut10 another pipe P3 is clamped in place with a clamp 30 on the bottomwall 12.

FIG. 14 also shows the advantage of the invention in reducing thedistance between stacked construction struts. In this respect,comparison is made to the distance between stacked construction strutswhich distance is dictated by the configuration of the clamps E1, E2 andE3 in FIG. 2. However with the present clamp, the stacked constructionstruts shown in FIG. 14 are able to be closer together.

FIG. 15 illustrates the requisite configuration for the head of afastener to be below the maximum curvature (the maximum distance fromthe construction strut) of the intermediate portion of the strut clamp.The dimension M from the maximum curvature of the intermediate portion38 to the flat shelf portion 42 must be more than the height of the head37 of the fastener 36. In most applications the fastener head height isabout 5/32 in. for a hex head or about 3/16 in. for a round head.Therefore, the distance M is preferably at least about ¼ in. Also, thatdimension should be less than the radius of the curvature so that itwill not be lower than half way to the strut 10.

The clamp can be made in a range of sizes each size made to accommodatea pipe size. As noted above the dimensions of the construction strut arestandardized, so the relationship of the parts of the clamp thatinteract and interengage with the construction strut can be determinedin that context. The size variables for different pipes are the width,length and degree of curvature of the intermediate portion 38. Theexemplary version given above has a width of 1 inch for the intermediateportion 38; wider and thinner dimensions may be applicable although asingle width is preferred for all sizes. The length of the intermediateportion 38 is selected so that the head of the screw 36 can be below theupper reach of the curvature as described above.

The foregoing Detailed Description of exemplary and preferredembodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure inaccordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or formsdescribed, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understandhow the invention may be suited for a particular use or implementation.The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent topractitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by thedescription of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances,feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineeringspecifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementationsor with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should beimplied therefrom. This disclosure has been made with respect to thecurrent state of the art, but also contemplates advancements and thatadaptations in the future may take into consideration of thoseadvancements, namely in accordance with the then current state of theart. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by theClaims as written and equivalents as applicable. Reference to a claimelement in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one”unless explicitly so stated. Moreover, no element, component, nor methodor process step in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to thepublic regardless of whether the element, component, or step isexplicitly recited in the Claims. No claim element herein is to beconstrued under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, sixth paragraph,unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for . .. ” and no method or process step herein is to be construed under thoseprovisions unless the step, or steps, are expressly recited using thephrase “comprising step(s) for . . . . ”

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for clamping a pipe or conduit orsimilar circular item to a standard construction strut of the typehaving a top side with a longitudinal space defining an opening having awidth dimension defined by spaced apart inturned flanges and having abottom side having an inside surface and that has longitudinally spacedapart slots having a width dimension and a length dimension that isgreater than the width dimension comprising: providing a strut clampcomprising; a metal strip having a first end and a second end, near thefirst end having a neck portion that has a width that is less than thewidth dimension of the longitudinal space and less than the length andwidth dimensions of the slots of the standard construction strut and aretaining tab below the neck portion, the retaining tab having a firstand second side each extending outwardly on opposite sides of the neckportion, and the first side having an upward facing straight horizontaledge and the second side having an upward extending hook having a topand a recess between the top and the neck, the upward facing straighthorizontal edge and the top of the hook being aligned perpendicular tothe metal strip and the retaining tab having a width that is less thanthe width dimension of the longitudinal space and of the length of theslots and greater than the width of the slots of the constructions strutand the metal strip near the second end being adapted for passing afastener through it and an intermediate portion extending between thefirst and second ends having a curvature portion; and the strut clampfurther comprising a nut having opposite ends defining a lengthdimension that is long enough to span the inturned flanges and having awidth dimension that is less than the opening width dimension of thelongitudinal space of the to side of the construction strut and that isless than the width dimension of the slot in the bottom of theconstruction strut and the nut having a length dimension that is lessthan the length dimension of the slot whereby the nut may be insertedstraight-in to the to of the construction strut or to a slot in thebottom of the construction strut and the nut further having a centralportion between the ends and having a threaded hole substantially midwayof the central portion adapted for engaging a fastener and when preparedfor installation having the nut loosely attached to a fastener extendingfrom the second end of the strip; attaching one or more of the strutclamps selectively either; (a) to the top of the construction strut bypassing the retaining tab allowably by straight-in insertion through theopening whereby attaching the clamp to the construction strut can bedone with the clamp aligned longitudinally of the construction strut andthe hook on the second side of the retaining tab engaging an inturnedflange of the construction strut either before placing a pipe or conduitor similar circular item under its curved portion or after that item isin place, placing it over the item such that the curvature engages theitem and passing the nut by straight-in insertion through the openingand rotating the nut to place the nut under the inturned flanges of theconstruction strut; and fixing the strut clamp in place to secure thepipe or conduit or similar circular item in place by tightening thefastener to the nut; or (b) to the bottom of the construction strut byinserting the retaining tab of the strut clamp through a selected one ofthe slots at an angle that allows it to pass through the slot androtating the strut clamp allowing the upward facing straight horizontaledge of the first side of the retaining tab and the top of the hook ofthe second side of the retaining tab to engage the inside surface of thebottom side of the construction strut on each side respectively of theslot; passing the nut straight-in through the slot and rotating it intocontact of the inside surface; and capturing a pipe or conduit orsimilar circular item under the curved portion of the strut clamp;fixing the strut clamp in place to secure the pipe or conduit or similarcircular item in place by tightening the fastener to the nut.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 the nut having opposite ends each of the ends beingformed as a pair of spaced apart hooks each hook having an upward facingcurved element and a central portion extending from the pairs of hooksand having a threaded hole substantially midway of the central portion.3. The method of claim 2 wherein the nut is formed as a channel in whichthe central portion has sides extending downwardly from a face surfaceand the pairs of spaced apart hooks are formed as ends of the sidesextending beyond the face surface.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein eachof the pairs of spaced apart hooks extend symmetrically convergentlybeyond the face surface.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the second endhas a bend across its width to define a flat area in which the hole ispositioned and the curvature portion extends lengthwise from the bend toa straight portion that ends at the neck portion whereby the head of aselected fastener is below maximum curvature point relative to theconstruction strut of the curvature of the intermediate portion.
 6. Themethod of claim 5 wherein the flat area is at least ¼ inch below themaximum curvature point of the intermediate portion so that a head of aselected fastener will not extend above the top of the curvature.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the width of the retaining tab does not exceedabout 13/16 inch.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the second side ofthe retaining tab extends outwardly beyond the neck portion by not lessthan about 3/16 inch.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the width of theneck portion does not exceed about ½ inch.
 10. The method of claim 1wherein the second side of the retaining tab extends beyond the neckportion more than the first side of the retaining tab.
 11. A method forclamping a pipe or conduit or similar circular item to a standardconstruction strut of the type having a top side with a longitudinalspace defining an opening having a width dimension defined by spacedapart inturned flanges and having a bottom side having an inside surfaceand that has longitudinally spaced apart slots the slots having a widthdimension and a length dimension that is greater than the widthdimension comprising: providing a strut clamp comprising; a metal striphaving a first end and a second end, near the first end having a neckportion that has a width that is less than the width dimension of thelongitudinal space and less than the length and width dimensions of theslots of the standard construction strut and a retaining tab below theneck portion, the retaining tab having a first and second side eachextending outwardly on opposite sides of the neck portion, and the firstside having an upward facing edge and the second side having an upwardextending hook having a lower hook portion that receives a distal end ofthe inturned flange when attached to the to side of the constructionstrut and a to hook portion positioned above the lower hook portionwherein the top hook portion is coplanar with the upward facing edgesuch that the top hook portion and the upward facing edge contact theinside surface of the bottom of the construction strut when the clamp isattached to the bottom of the construction strut and the retaining tabhaving a width that is less than the width dimension of the longitudinalspace and of the length of the slots and greater that the width of theslots of the construction strut and the metal strip near the second endbeing adapted for passing a fastener through it and an intermediateportion extending between the first and second ends having a curvatureportion; whereby one or more of the strut clamps may be attached to theconstruction strut at either its top or bottom respectively; (a) to thetop of the construction strut by passing the retaining tab allowably bystraight-in insertion through the opening whereby attaching the clamp tothe construction strut can be done with the clamp aligned longitudinallyof the construction strut and the hook on the second side of theretaining tab engaging an inturned flange of the construction struteither before placing a pipe or conduit or similar circular item underits curved portion or after that item is in place, placing it over theitem such that the curvature engages the item; placing a nut under theinturned flanges of the construction strut; fixing the strut clamp inplace to secure the pipe or conduit or similar circular item in place bytightening a fastener extending from the second end of the strip to thenut; or (b) to the bottom of the construction strut by inserting theretaining tab of the strut clamp through a selected one of the slots atan angle that allows it to pass through the slot and rotating the strutclamp allowing the upward facing edge of the first side of the retainingtab and the top of the hook of the second side of the retaining tab toengage the inside surface of the bottom side of the construction struton each side respectively of the slot; providing a pipe or conduithaving a diameter; capturing the pipe or conduit under the intermediateportion of the strut clamp; tightening the fastener to a nut that isinside the construction strut and accessible at a slot such that thefastener passes through the slot and engages the nut for tightening. 12.The method of claim 11 wherein the second end has a bend across itswidth to define a flat area in which a hole is positioned and thecurvature portion extends lengthwise from the bend to a straight portionthat ends at the neck portion.
 13. The method of claim 11 furtherwherein the nut has a width dimension which is less than the openingwidth and a length dimension that is long enough to span the inturnedflanges wherein for attaching a strut clamp to the top of theconstruction strut the nut is passed through the opening and turned toallow it to engage under the inturned flanges; and the nut having alength dimension that is long enough so that the nut will span acrossthe width dimension of the slots to engage the bottom of theconstruction strut thereby attaching the strut clamp to the bottom ofthe construction strut; and tightening the fastener to the nut so as tohold in place the pipe or conduit or the like.
 14. The method of claim11 the nut having opposite ends each of the ends being formed as a pairof spaced apart hooks each hook having an upward facing curved elementand a central portion extending from the pairs of hooks and having athreaded hole substantially midway of the central portion adapted forengaging the fastener.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the nut isformed as a channel in which the central portion has sides extendingdownwardly from a face surface and the pairs of spaced apart hooks areformed as ends of the sides extending from the face surface.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 wherein each of the pairs of spaced apart hooksextend symmetrically convergently beyond the face surface.
 17. Themethod of claim 11 wherein the width of the retaining tab does notexceed about 13/16 inch.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein the width ofthe neck portion does not exceed about ½ inch.
 19. The method of claim17 wherein the second side of the retaining tab extends outwardly beyondthe neck portion by not less than about 3/16 inch.